Power Electronics Power Electronics

Teacher : Sir Mohsin Shehzad By Spo9-Bee-8A

Need Of Commutation and Difference between Natural and forced commutation Commutation In engineering The term commutation basically means transfer of current from one path to other.

In power electronics

It refers to the process of turning off semiconductor switch

 A static power converters ,use power semiconductor that function as a switch. These switches are turned off and ON . Repetitively or as required to implement desired function.

 So when ever switch turned off ,then path of current changes, i.e commutation is there.

In the terminology of power electronics turn off switching of the device is commutation

Example A conducted diode automatically commutated when reverse bias voltage is applied across it . A conducting thyristor turned off in a similar fashion because gate is inefficient to achieve this.

Commutating voltage
The reverse voltage that serves to turned off the thyristor or diode is called commutating voltage..

Switching Activity
Due to need of switching activity inside converters ,we need commutation, (ON and OFF )

Thyristor
Thyristor being a switching device ,so commutation is there The commutation circuit may need additional components to achieve goals

Properties of commutation Hold negative voltage across device during turn off time. During conduction (SCR) is flooded with carriers Ia (anode current) should flows through device until all carrier are removed

Continue
Then J1 and J2 achieve forward blocking state. Trr (reverse recovery time) Commutation current has to hold negative voltage until Tgr

 So that excesses carriers near J2 recombined If negative voltage removed before Tgr ,then device may ON due to Carriers near J2. Because they act as a gate derive to SCR

 Negative voltage can be removed at the end of tgr Tq= turn off time of SCR Tq=Trr+Tgr

Turn off time

The time required to achieve forward blocking capability after commutation initiated . Tq varies between 5 to 200 u sec

Tc
Tc is the turn off time of commutation and it should be greater then Tq Tc>Tq

 SCR having Tq<25 u sec are called Inverter grade SCR and used in Inverters and Choppers SCR having Tq>25 u sec are used in controlled rectifiers ,AC voltage controllers

Commutation Applications (where used and why)

Rectification AC to DC converters DC to DC converters DC to AC converters AC to AC converters (1) Ac voltage regulators (2) Cyclo converters

Rectification (why commutation required)

Switching activity involve I/p Ac O/p DC It may be 1 phase or 3 phase (AC)

Application (rectification) Electric traction, battery charger, Electroplating, Electrochemical processing, Power supplies , Welding and in UPS

Ac to DC converters (phase controlled rectifiers)

I/p constant AC Voltage O/p Variable Dc Voltage These are also called Line Commutated Because they use line or source voltage for commutation

Applications
In Dc drives , Metallurgical and chemical industry Excitation system for synchronous motors

DC to Dc converters
I/p Fixed Dc O/p Variable DC

Forced commutation is used Thyristor are used in high power In low power transistors and MOSFET

Application
Choppers are widely used in Dc drives, Subway cars, trolley trucks, Battery driven vehicles

Dc to AC Converter
I/p fixed Dc O/p AC voltage

Forced commutation as well as line is used When forced then used in Induction motor derives, synchronous motors derives, Induction heating , UPS

Continue

In HVDC Inverters are line commutated

Ac to AC converters
I/p Fixed AC O/p Variable AC

Further two types (1)Ac voltage controllers (convert at same frequency) Line commutation is used O/p is controlled by firing angle

Used in
To control heating and lighting

Speed control of Fans and pumps

 (2) Cyclo converter Frequency is different Line commutation Forced commutation also common

Used in

Low speed large Ac Motors That derive loads like rotatory kilns

Natural (Line commutation)

Doesnt required any external component Use supply main voltage So called line commutation In Ac voltage is used to affect the current transfer.

Natural commutation
T +

vs

vo

Continue
A current always passes through a zero crossing . At each cycle Most widely used in Line commutated converters, voltage regulator and cyclo converter

Vab ,vbn and vcn are 120 degree phase voltages Ta conducts when (a) phase is at positive when (b) is positive then Tb conducts and Ta OFF and so on

Continue
By sequentially firing thyristor when the line voltage have correct polarity, we can successfully commutate each thyristor.

Two aspects of Line commutation

Possible only in AC voltage bus Line commutation is not possible at any instant ,(possible only during 180 degree interval)

Forced commutation
When supply voltage is Dc Artificial means are used to turn off the SCR Apply a reverse bias or pass a impulse of negative current.

Continue
Normally LC circuit are used They store energy during SCR ON and use this energy for turning Off LC circuit impose a reverse voltage across SCR

Continue
L And C are called commutating components These brings immediately the forward current to zero

Continue
Then SCR Ia falls below holding current Forced commutation are of different types

Types of forced commutation

(1)self commutation by resonating load or L C Ckt (2)Axuillary voltage commutation (impulse commutation) (3) Auxiliary current commutation resonant commutation)

 (4) Complementary commutation

(5) External pulse commutation

Thank you